Slide fastener



June 16, 1959 w. N. STILWELL SLIDE FASTENER Filed Jan. 19, 1956INVENTOR.

WIHFRED u .511 LWELL.

A T TORIUEY Patented June 16,. 1959 "ice SLIDE FASTENER Winfred N.Stilwell, Radnor, Pa., assignnr of fifty percent to Leon Edelson,'Elkins Park, Pa.

Application January 19, 1956, Serial No. 560,142

7 Claims. (Cl. 24-20515) This invention relates generally to zippers orseparable fasteners utilized as closures for garments and the like andparticularly to an improved construction of slider for operating azipper or separable fastener.

When operating a zipper or separable fastener it happens frequently thatthe fabric of the zipper-equipped garment or of an underlying garmentbecomes entangled in the slider that controls the engagement anddisengagement of the fastener elements. This slider conventionallycomprises top and bottom parts or wings connected together by anintegral neck to form a member that is U-shaped in longitudinal crosssection. The top and bottom wings of the slider being relatively fixed,the only way to effect release of the slider is to pull it back out ofengagement with the fabric caught therein. To pull the slider back,however, considerable force and repeated attempts may be required. Inaddition, the zipper and/ or the fabric caught in the slider may beruined, to say nothing of the aggravation suffered by the operator. Inview of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that conventional zipperoperating sliders have not proven to be entirely satisfactory.Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to providean operating slider that has top and bottom parts which are relativelymovable for facilitating release of the slider from fabriccaughttherein, release being effected without any necessity for repeatedattempts or use of undue force.

Another important object of the present'invention is to provide such aslider with a pull tab that may be variously positioned to therebycorrespondingly vary the effective distance between the relativelymovable top and bottom slider parts.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide such aslider with means operatively interposed between the slider parts foryieldably separating the same and a combination pull and cam deviceoperable for selectively reducing the effective distance between theslider parts against the influence of the yieldable means.

And still another important object of the present invention is toprovide such. a slider arranged so that the top and bottom slider partsmay be moved relative to one another solely by manipulating the pull tabin the front of the slider, without any necessity for reaching into thegarment, behind the slider.

A further important object is to provide a slider that is simple indesign and construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacturebecause the essential parts thereof are relatively few and easy tofabricate and assemble.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully hereinafter, it being understood that the invention consistssubstantially in the combination, construction, location and relativearrangement of parts, all as described in the accompanying drawings andas finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

7 Figure 1 is a front view of a zipper or separable fastener shownpartially open, the slider being shown locked in position;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the slider shown in Figure 1, asindicated by the line 22 of Figure 5;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the slider shown in Figure 1, asindicated by the line 33 of Figure 6;

Figure 4 is a front view of the slider shown in Figure 1, in releasedcondition;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is asection on line 6-6 of Figure 4; Figure 7 is an exploded perspectiveview of the slider shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a view of the inner surface of the bottom part of theslider, as indicated by line 88 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a view of theinner surface of the top part of the slider, as indicated by line 99 ofFigure 7;

and

Figure 11 is a view of the undersurface of an essential part of theslider, as indicated by line 11-11 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 through 10, apair of tape stringers 19-40 are conventionally fitted each with a rowof fastener elements 11. For engaging and disengaging the latter, thefastener is equipped with a slider, designated generally by the numeral12.

Referring particularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9, the slider 12 is providedwith a bottom or back part 13 that includes a base wall 14 which has anelongated narrow neck area at one end and a rounded comparatively broadhead area at the opposite end. Formed integral with the base wall 14 area pair of opposite side flanges 15-46 that extend along the neck areaand part way around the head area. The slider 12 is additionallyprovided with a top or front part 17 that includes a base wall lfl whichcorresponds in peripheral outline to the base wall 14 of the back part13. Formed integral with the base wall 18 are a pair of opposite sideflanges 19-2tl that extend along the neck area and part way around thehead area of the base Wall 19. In their assembled condition, the sliderparts 1317 are positioned opposite one another with the flanges15-161920 between the base Walls 14-18, there being formed thereby ahollow assembly that is rectangular in transverse cross section and openat each end.

Formed integral with the base Wall head area of the slider part 13 is asquare-bottomed post 21 that extends laterally from the base wall 14 andfreely into a com plementary-shaped registering socket 55 formed in thebase Wall head area of the slider part 17, in consequence of which theslider part 17 is free to slidably shift axially on the post 21 whilesecured against turning about the axis thereof. Formed integral with thebase wall head area of the slider part 17 respectively on opposite sidesof the aperture 22 are a generally square boss 23 and a generallytriangular boss 24 that extend laterally from the base wall 18 of theslider part 17 toward the base wall 14 of the slider part 13 and whichterminate short of the base wall head area of the latter, the apex ofthetriangular boss 24 being directed away from the aperture 22. The freeend portion of the post 21 is fitted with an operating device whichincludes a finger pull element 26.

It will be noted that throughout the range of relative movement of theslider parts 13-17, the latter operatively embrace the fastener elements11 within their hollow interior while the tape stringer portions towhich these fastener elements 11 are secured extend each outwardly fromthe fastener elements 11 freely between the associated pair of sideflanges 15-19 or 1620 of the slider parts 1317.

The rows of fastener elements 11 extend in disengaged condition eachinto the open head end of the slider 12, between the boss 23, post 21and boss 24 on one side Figure 10 is an enlarged view showing certaindetails;

. 3 and the associated flanges 15-19 or 16-20 on the other side. Withinthe hollow head of the slider 12, the rows of fastener elements 11converge and engage, whereupon they continue in engaged conditionthrough the hollow neck and the open neck end of the slider 12.Referring ,to Figures 1, 2 and 5, in the locked condition of the slider12, the distance between the slider parts 13-17 is a minimum, inconsequence of which the tape stringers -10 are effectively clampedrespectively between the pairs of flanges 15-19 and 16-20 of the sliderparts 13-17, and the slider can not be moved in either direction alongthe rows of fastener elements 11.

In the operating condition of the slider 12, the distance between theslider parts 13-17 is approximately the average between the minimum andthe maximum distances obtainable between the slider parts 13-17, inconsequence of which the tape stringers 10-10 are not clamped betweenthe slider parts 13-17 and the slider is free to be moved in eitherdirection along the rows of fastener elements 11. Movement of the sliderin fastener closing direction engages the fastener elements 11 as theypass successively through the slider. Movement of the slider in fasteneropening direction disengages the fastener elements 11 as theysuccessively come into engagement with the boss 24.

In the event that the fabric of the zipper-equipped garment or of anunderlying garment becomes entangled in the slider as frequently happenswhen the slider is moved in either direction, the pull element 26 isswung into the position shown in Figures 3 and 6. In this releasedcondition of the slider 12, the distance between the slider parts 13-17is a maximum, in consequence of which the jammed slider is effectivelyreleased from the entangled fabric and is freely movable along the rowsof fastener elements 11. After the fastener has been moved away from thefabric with which it was entangled, the pull and cam device 26 isreturned to the operating position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5,and then operation of the slider is resumed.

As shown in the drawings, the slider, designated generally by thenumeral 12, is provided with a post 21 that extends laterally from thebase wall 14 of the slider part 13 and freely through the base wall headarea of the slider part 17. A square base portion 53 of the post 21 isslidably fitted between the bosses 23 and 24, a round intermediateportion 54 of the post 21 is slidably projected through a round aperture55 in the base wall 18 and a rib 56, which is raised from the outersurface of the latter, and a reduced diameter top portion 57 of the post21 terminates in a round rivet head 58. At the junction of the base andintermediate portions of the post 21, there is formed a sharp shoulder59, and at the junction of the intermediate and top portions of the post21, there is formed a sharp shoulder 60.

Carried by the post 21 is a cam element 61 that is U-shaped inlongitudinal cross section and generally round in transverse crosssection. At one end thereof, the element 61 is slotted as at 62, wherebythere is formed a pair of longitudinally extending legs 63-63 that areconnected together by a transversely extending portion 64. The element61 is provided with a central bore 65 that extends through the legconnecting portion 64, and the unslotted end of the element 61 isstepped as at 66.

The intermediate portion 54 of the post 21 extends into the element 61,freely between the legs 63-63, and the top portion 57 of the post 21extends freely through the bore 65 in the leg connecting portion 64 ofthe element 61, whereby the latter portion is disposed between theshoulder 60 and the rivet head 58 of the post 21, the element 61 beingturnable about the axis of the post 21.

The slot 62 between the legs 63-63 of the element 61 receives a pair oflugs 67-67 each set back a short distance from the end of an element 68that extends in longitudinal continuation of the main body of the pull 4element 26, whereby the latter is swingable over the rivet head 58 ofthe post 21, about the axis of the lugs 67-67. Extending laterally fromthe pull element 26 is an integral detent 69 which, when the pullelement 26 is positioned in overlying generally parallel relation to thebase wall 18 of the slider part 17, projects through an aperture 70formed in the base wall 18, well into the hollow interior of the slider.

Referring particularly to Figures 26, 27 and 30, in the locked conditionof the slider 12, both legs 63-63 of the element 61 rest upon a surfacearea that is raised relative to the base wall 18 of the slider part 17,namely, the top of the rib 56. The finger pull element 26 extends over arib 71 formed on the base wall 18 of the slider part 17, being disposedin generally parallel relation to the latter. The detent 69 of thefinger pull element 26 extends freely through the aperture 70 formed inthe base wall 18 of the slider part 17 and projects well into the hollowinterior of the slider to engage the fastener elements 11 and/or the topstringers 10-10, in consequence of which the slider cannot be moved. Inorder to operate the slider, it is necessary merely to swing the fingerpull element 26 from the full line to the dotted line position ofFigures 2 and 5, whereupon the slider is ready to be moved along therows of fastener elements 11, in either direction.

Referring particularly to Figures 3, 4 and 6, in the released conditionof the slider 12, the legs 63-63 of the element 61 straddle the rib 56.To effect this change, the finger pull element 26 is first swung 180degrees from the full line position of Figure 5, through the dotted lineposition of Figure 30, to the dotted line position of Figure 1, inconsequence of which the slider is unlocked. Then the finger pullelement 26 is swung 90 degrees about the axis of the post 21 to the fullline position of Figure 4, whereupon the legs 63-63 of the element 61slide down on opposite sides of the rib 56, straddling the latter riband engaging the base wall 18 of the slider part 17.

In order to control the swinging movement of the finger pull element 26about the axis of the post 21, the underside of the rivet head 58 of thepost 21 is provided with a protuberance 72 that engages the step 66formed on the end of the element 61. To restore the slider to itsinitial condition, the procedure just outlined is reversed. The rib 56is approximately half round in transverse cross section, whichfacilitates movement of the element 61 about the axis of the post 21from the position thereof shown in Figure 3, wherein the legs 63-63straddle the rib 56, to the position thereof shown in Figure 2, whereinthe legs 63-63 engage the top of the rib 56. In the dotted line positionof the finger pull clement 26 shown in Figures 2 and 5, the extremitiesof the elements 68- 68 extend freely into grooves formed between the rib56 and opposite end portions of the rib 71 that are disposed inlaterally spaced parallel relation to the rib 56, on opposite sidesthereof, in consequence of which the lugs ceptible of various changesand modifications which may be made from time to time without departingfrom the general principles or real spirit of the invention, andaccordingly, it is intended to claim the same broadly as well asspecifically as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a slider for engaging and disengaging the rows of fastenerelements of a slide fastener, a hollow assembly comprising front andback slider parts having base walls disposed in mutually overlyinglaterally spaced rela-' tion, the base wall of said front slider partbeing adapted to overlie and the base Wall of said back slider partbeing adapted to underlie the fastener elements for movement along therows thereof, said front slider part having a rib to provide a raisedsurface area, means within said hollow assembly for engaging thefastener elements and separating the rows thereof when said slider ismoved in fastener opening direction, a post extending from said basewall of the back slider part for shifting movement of the front sliderpart axially on said post, and a member overlying said front slider partand turnably mounted upon said post, said turnable member being U-shapedin longitudinal section to provide opposite side legs which respectivelyextend longitudinally and are disposed on diametrically opposite sidesof the post, the corresponding terminal portions of said legs beingadapted to seat upon the raised surface area of said rib for securingsaid front slider part against movement axially upon said post away fromsaid back slider part, said turnable member being movable about saidpost for disengagement from said raised surface area and engagement witha comparatively low area of said front slider part, whereby said frontslider part is released for shifting movement axially upon said postaway from said slider back part.

2. In a slider for engaging and disengaging the rows of fastenerelements of a slide fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said post andturnable member are relatively formed and arranged for coaction torestrict movement of said turnable member approximately a quarter turnabout said post for positioning the legs of said turnable member instraddling relation to said rib.

3. In a slider for engaging and disengaging the rows of fastenerelements of a slide fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the frontslider part has formed therein a pair of laterally spaced groovesflanking said rib, the post extends through an intermediate section ofsaid rib, and the turnable member is fitted with a finger pull includinga pair of elongated laterally spaced elements extending in longitudinalcontinuation of said finger pull and straddling said turnable means, andwherein a pair of auxiliary elements extend laterally respectively fromsaid elongated elements freely into said turnable member between thelegs thereof, said elongated elements being of a length to extendrespectively into said grooves in straddling relation to said rib whensaid finger pull is positioned in longitudinal continuation of saidpost, whereby to limit movement of said finger pull clement about saidpost and simultaneously to secure said elongated elements against beingspread apart a distance sufficient for disengagement of said auxiliaryelements from said turnable member.

4. In a slider for engaging and disengaging the rows of fastenerelements of a slide fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the frontslider part has formed therein a pair of laterally spaced groovesflanking said rib, the post extends through an intermediate section ofsaid rib, said post and turnable member are formed and relativelyarranged for coaction to restrict movement of said turnable member =toapproximately a quarter turn about said post for positioning the legs ofsaid turnable member in straddling relation to said rib, and theturnable member is fitted with a finger pull including a pair ofelongated laterally spaced elements extending in longitudinalcontinuation of said finger pull and straddling said turnable member,and wherein a pair of auxiliary elements extend laterally respectivelyfrom said elongated elements freely into said turnable member betweenthe legs thereof, said elongated elements being of a length to extendrespectively into said grooves in straddling relation to said rib whensaid finger pull is positioned in longitudinal continuation of saidpost, whereby to limit movement of said finger pull element about saidpost and simultaneously to secure said elongated elements against beingspread apart a distance sufiicient for disengagement of said auxiliaryelements from said turnable member.

5. In a slider for engaging and disengaging the rows of fastenerelements of a slide fastener, a hollow assembly comprising front andback slider parts having base walls in mutually overlapping laterallyspaced relation, the base wall of said front slider part being adaptedto overlie and the base wall of said back slider part being adapted tounderlie the fastener elements for movement along the rows thereof,means within said hollow assembly separating the rows of the fastenerelements when said slider is moved in fastener opening direction, a postextending from said base wall of the back slider part and projectingthrough the base wall of the front slider part for supporting the latterfor shifting movement thereof axially on said post, and a memberturnably mounted on said post in overlying relation to said front sliderpart, said turnable member and said front slider part being respectivelyprovided on their proximate faces with a pair of projections disposed onopposite sides of said post and with a pair of similarly disposedrecesses for accommodating said projections, which projections, when innon-registry with said recesses, normally bear against the recessedelement to hold the front and back slider parts in fixed, closelyassociated operative relation and are adapted, upon turning of saidmember, to present said projections in registry with said recesses tothereby release said front slider part for limited separation from saidback slider part.

6. In a slider as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided forlimiting turning movement of said turnable member about said post ineither direction.

7. In a slider as defined in claim 5 wherein said projections andrecesses act as camming elements to selectively cam said front sliderpart into its released or operative position relatively to said backslider part and wherein said turnable member is fixed against outwardaxial shifting movement upon said post to provide a predeterminedlyfixed spacing between said turnable member and the back slider partwithin which spacing said front slider part may shift axially of thepost upon turning movement of said turnable member and the resultingaction of said camming elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,082,988 Taskila June 8, 1937 2,366,797 Legat Jan. 9, 1945 2,666,970Grant Jan. 26, 1954 2,671,258 Lackritz Mar. 9, 1954 2,681,490 OkolowiczJune 22, 1954 2,681,491 Snyder June 22, 1954 2,764,794 Meech Oct. 2,1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,018,395 France Jan. 7, 1953

